Editors' Review

This freebie CD ripping software might not be the speediest on the scene, but conversion to MP3 audio files gives it a boost.

If you opt for MP3, you may wait around longer than you'd like, as the program first extracts songs to temporary WAV files before converting them to the compressed codec. In our tests, the application had no trouble obtaining track information from the Internet. As you might expect, the program lets you set the bit rate and use VBR compression, but the ability to normalize tracks is a welcome surprise. Ditto for the audio-conversion and recording tools, which are quite basic but still work just fine.

Note that when converting files to MP3 or WAV formats, you won't actually see them show up in a queue, though you can still process tunes in batch mode. The utility can also now compress WAV files into the OGG format. In the end, this piece of freeware makes a strong case for itself.

Publisher's Description

This CD ripper allows you to extract audio files from a CD and convert them to MP3, WAV, OGG or WMA formats. It connects to the CDDB database to automatically retrieve title information, and it can save output filenames based on the track. It supports ID3 tag editing and additional Lame options. You can record to the MP3 format with your microphone or convert WAV files to MP3, OGG or WMA files. The program also supports the normalization of audio files.

They want to charge me $14.95 & $2.95 totaling $17.90 for Registration Code by Email. You Cannot run program without it.

Summary

But if you want a Truly Free MP3 Converter go here: http://download.cnet.com/Free-CD-to-MP3-Converter/3000-2170_4-10388838.html They give it to you for Free. And you have the Opportunity to upgrade to Pro for $29.75. But I didn't go Pro and it works Great. It also does CD and converts them to MP3, WAV, OGG or WMA formats. ALL For Free !! So Don't waste your time and download this other one, you WILL Thank Me !! I Put my Reputation on it !! (aka: TRAITOR) Also Traitor stands for our Forefathers in America that were Traitors to the British Monarchy.

Great software but I give it a 1 due to virus software that downloaded with it.

Cons

Yontoo Virus downloaded with software!

Summary

I downloaded the "Free CD to mp3 Converter" on 6/15/12 and found it worked very well (As a student of the violin and cello, I was thrilled to find software that would allow me to just play mp3s for practice rather than having to swap out a half a dozen CDs per session.), so on 6/19/12 I donated $14.95 to the creator of the software as thanks. Much to my dismay, however, I discovered on 6/20/12 that when I downloaded the software on 6/15, I also received without my knowledge or permission, a piece of software by Yontoo that hijacks image space and displays its own content in different Google ads that appeared on web pages. I first noticed yesterday that an ad for a search company called Contenko was appearing on web pages where Google Ads and other 300x250-pixel image ads would normally appear.

I also kept getting some notices about websites/Firefox not working properly and did not know why until I discovered the Yontoo Virus that had installed itself on my computer. Once I uninstalled this malicious software, the ads no longer were hijacked by Yontoo and I have had no problems with websites not working properly.

If you download this software, make sure you check your Control Panel for Yontoo and remove it immediately!

Updated on Jun 22, 2012

Update: The Yontoo virus is added by CNET. I wrote to the software's author, and he confirms that he does not add any extra programs with his distribution. The author requests that you download the software directly from his website to avoid this problem.

The website address is: http://www.eusing.com/CDRipper/CDRipper.htm

Updated on Jun 22, 2012

Update: The Yontoo virus is added by CNET. I wrote to the software's author, and he confirms that he does not add any extra programs with his distribution. The author requests that you download the software directly from his website to avoid this problem.

Converted one CD OK. Then the next CD conversion wouldn't show up in the designated folder. I deleted the app and reloaded and it converted the next one. This situation continues after each CD conversion. Also, even though I named each file, neither Winamp nor Win Media Player would recognize the name of each track. So if you want to convert a couple of CDs, I guess it's OK, but don't pay for this application because it's not really functional.

Summary

As I stated, I'm glad I didn't pay for a "Free" app. I will continue looking for an application to convert my CDs to MP3s and will pay for software with a garantee. Don't "donate" or pay for a Free version which is probably in an alpha stage of development.

I was not very optimistic this would do what I wanted it to do after reading the other comment. But it promptly converted a whole cd to mp3in about 3 minutes on my old computer. Thought interface was nice and easy to get accustomed to.For a freeware product it seems to have a fair selection features. I've had no problems at all with this product.

Cons

Not much I can say bad about this program. Except for every time you run the program, you get a screen reminding you that while it's free, you can show support by paying. If you can't afford to you can just hit skip to run the program anyway.

I hit the "Extract" button and it just sat there. I tried another freeware program and it worked fine. Two thumbs down on this bad boy. And when I uninstalled it, it immediately shut down my computer and I lost a long post I was working on.

Summary

This program is exceptionally poorly written. The "Option" setting doesn't retain settings like the output folder and default drive. It could damage your computer setup. Best to steer clear. You get what you pay for!

I finally got around to burning my CD's to my Windows 7 Home Premium Dell Studio 17 laptop for my first time so I had no prior experience. I couldn't figure out how to do it so I down loaded the subject CD to MP3 Converter 3.1. It seemed confusing and I thought Windows 7 was supposed to be able to do the same job easily. My machine wouldn't perform the operation. It turned out my profile was corrupted in some way some how.I dumped my old profile and set up a new account. The Windows Media Player begin speedily ripping my CD's.The subject program is free and I guess if there is no better option then it may be a perfectly good option but Windows Media Player, when working properly does the job and I can't imagine a simpler way than WMP.

Win7 mediaplayer only converts to WMA format, and will sometimes make soundfiles unplayable if you try to burn them or use them on a device. Even if you legally bought the CD! It does not convert files to MP3 or other better formats. The Windows Media Player might have a fancy new interface, but the program is old and still incredibly limited!

Installed program, started, inserted CD. Program detected CD and converted contents to MP3. Opened output folder and moved to my music library folder. Enjoying PJ Harvey on my laptop as I am writing this review!

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